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Thursday 2 June 2005

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Indonesian Embassy receives bacteria threat through mailed package

The Federal Government has revealed there was also a message in the envelope which sparked the unprecedented lockdown of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, and a major diplomatic incident. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Foreign Minister will disclose exactly what's contained in the note, other than to say it's abusive towards Indonesia. The Federal Police are still testing the white powder, which initial investigations have found contains bacteria which could possibly be dangerous.

Bakir condemns embassy scare

The Queensland businessman Ron Bakir, who's helping to fund Schapelle Corby's legal fight in Bali, has also condemned the perpetrators of the scare at the Indonesian Embassy. He says that Schapelle Corby hasn't yet been told about the incident, but is certain that she would in no way support it. Mr Bakir says the incident won't help Ms Corby's appeals, and while anger in Australia is understandable, xenophobia and threats are not the way to express it.

Media beat-up blamed for Corby trial backlash

The reaction to the Schapelle Corby case, as you've heard, has been blamed for fuelling anti-Indonesian sentiment. And this morning some are laying the blame firmly in the media's court. But just how much responsibility should the media bear?

Govt lab examines bacterial substance sent to Indonesian embassy

The ACT Government Laboratory is expected to know later today exactly what was in the suspicious package sent to the Indonesian Embassy. But already terrorism experts are playing down concerns over the danger posed by the biological agent, which has only so far been identified as containing a type of bacteria.

Senate questions Govt over Bali travel advice

Labor Senators have demanded an explanation of the differences between two Senior Government ministers over whether travel advice for Bali should have been changed to include warnings about abuse at child care centres. The Justice Minister Chris Ellison wrote to the Foreign Minister, calling for the travel warnings to be updated, but that wasn't done. Labor's John Faulkner says it's a massive inconsistency between the two ministers. Foreign Affairs Department officials say there are warnings in a booklet called 'Hints for Australian Travellers', but Senator Faulkner says no such warnings are included in that document.

Jackson trial nears its end

The judge in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial has given the prosecution and the defence four hours each to sum up their arguments, and he's instructed the jurors on how they should weigh the evidence from 50 defence and 85 prosecution witnesses. The jury is expected to begin considering their verdict by the end of this week. A key piece of evidence is a videotape interview with Jackson's young accuser, which was the final evidence placed before the 12 men and women who'll decide the fate of the eccentric popstar.

Netherlands rejects EU constitution

According to who you listen to, Europe is either in its biggest political crisis since the creation of the EU, or the Dutch and the French have put the people back at the centre of European politics. The voters in the Netherlands, one of the EU's founding nations, have followed the French in resoundingly rejecting the new EU constitution. Analysts say the Dutch vote reflects a rift between the people and their government. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende says he's disappointed by the result, but has promised to honour the outcome.

Tasmanian conservationists make appeal to French Govt

Conservationists fighting to save one of Tasmania's forest areas are attempting to draw the French Government into the fray. At issue is forestland at Recherche Bay on Tasmania's southern coast. Anti-logging groups say the bay is of international significance because of its part in both French and Australian history. A recommendation is expected today on whether the site warrants Federal Heritage protection, with a decision by the Government due within three weeks.

Sydney beats Melbourne to host international soccer match

Sydney and Melbourne rivalry has intensified, with Sydney winning the right to host an international soccer match that the rival Melbourne fought hard to score. The match will help decide whether Australia qualifies for the World Cup for the first time in three decades.